Scapes Creates an Outdoor Courtyard with Personality

by Tara Wilfong for Atlanta Home Improvement

Lending Old World appeal to any home, a well-defined courtyard is the perfect spot for outdoor dining. Accenting the space with colorful plantings and lush greenery, a local backyard in the heart of Atlanta instantly rivals the ambiance and romance of a European estate.

When Scapes encountered a project of this scope, its principals soon discovered the site’s massive potential. With original brickwork and a faulty fountain centered in the courtyard, Evan Rogers, a partner at Scapes, envisioned a design that included the 30-year-old bricks and a new, working fountain, as well as a rich arbor to define the dining area. “The homeowner was very fond of the brick’s pink tones, and she wanted to play off its appearance to create a courtyard with a Tuscan feel,” he says. “She also liked the courtyard’s original design, but knew there were many problems to fix.”

BEFORE

Careful to maintain the aesthetics the homeowner loved, Rogers salvaged the bricks, using them to create a stunning patio bordered by colorful landscaping. Notching the corners and defining the border with stone, the arbor’s posts nestle perfectly into the angled space. Positioning a sleek fountain along the rear edge of the patio, the homeowner still enjoys the calming serenity of running water.

AFTER

Adding the piece de resistance—the massive arbor with curved rafters—Scapes created the desired dining area with a personality all its own. “By adding an arbor, you create an intimate, room-like space,” Rogers says. “Gently arching the overhead beams gives it a customized, elegant look, while mirroring the curves in the patio design.”

For that final, finished touch, stepping stones, colorful flowers and vibrant plants intermingle to create a lush garden feel. In direct contrast to the overgrown ivy and wall-to-wall brick overriding the original area, the new mix of bold color adds life and vitality to the once-drab design.

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